The art extravaganza was the first event of its kind in Shibuya and spanned three days across 17 venues, including galleries, live music venues and cafes.
Organizers were able to shut off one of the main streets for a parade headed by world renowned digital art collaboration "FriendsWithYou."
They also turned the much-photographed Shibuya Scramble Crossing into a night museum with digital art on all four large display screens overlooking the intersection instead of the usual advertising.
The city also picked about a dozen start-ups to showcase, drawing on the work of more than 90 artists and creators.
Among them was a firm that sells part ownership of bonsai miniature trees through NFTs, or non-fungible tokens.
Would-be start-ups also got a chance to pitch their ideas at an event to investors interested in betting their money on innovations.
Getting people beyond the Scramble Crossing
Part of the idea behind the event was to get people to walk around Shibuya and become familiar with the whole area.
It was part of efforts by the local government to put out the word, both domestically and internationally, that start-ups are welcome there and to share more about what the ward has to offer.
As for inbound tourists, officials wanted people to discover places beyond the Scramble. Tourists often take pictures at the crossing, then leave Shibuya for other areas of Tokyo.
Officials also hope local people will have a chance to touch and feel new technology and realize that art and technology is nothing to be scared of; rather, something that can be fun.
Impact of technology on art
Kunoh Kyoko, an Ambassador of Ars Electronica in Japan, was one of the judges selecting the best of the start-ups on show. Her group is a cultural, educational and scientific institute based in Linz, Austria. It's known globally for its annual new media art festival.
Kunoh says art and technology are always evolving and so is Shibuya. She sees the area as a hub for the latest youth and street culture, making it a natural fit for the event.
Kunoh also feels Japan is unique in that many people shy away from traditional art, thinking it's something that's too fancy or high class. But most people are open to new technology, whether it's in the form of gadgets, digital music, or, in this case, art.
She says this is a great event to show the world what Japan is like, what it has to offer and for people to feel that art is something to be enjoyed in everyday life.
Kunoh says technologies like generative AI will offer new possibilities for artists to express themselves, and pose questions about what new technology means for society. It's a concept that's at the heart of events like the one in Shibuya.
